The black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) belongs to the family Rhinocerotidae and is one of two extant African rhino species. Historically ranging across sub‑Saharan Africa, today it survives in fragmented populations in Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and a few other countries. It inhabits savanna, grassland, shrubland, and woodland mosaics where dense browse is available. Unlike the white rhino, the black rhino has a pointed, prehensile upper lip that enables selective feeding on leaves, shoots, and branches. Its skin is thick, folded, and appears black, though the name derives from early European misidentification. The species is solitary, territorial, and highly cryptic, relying on keen hearing and scent marking. Conservation efforts have increased numbers from a low of ~2,400 individuals in the early 1990s to roughly 5,600 today, but poaching and habitat loss keep it listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

Black rhinos are primarily solitary, with adult males maintaining territories of up to 30 km² that they patrol using scent marks from dung piles and urine. Females have smaller home ranges and may overlap with several males, especially during the breeding season. Activity peaks at dawn and dusk; they are crepuscular, spending daylight hours resting in shade. Communication relies on vocalizations such as grunts, snorts, and a low-frequency rumble that travels through the ground. Social interactions are limited to brief encounters between estrous females and males, as well as mother‑calf bonds that last 2–3 years. Territorial disputes can involve horn displays, charging, and occasional fights, but most conflicts are resolved through scent signaling.

The black rhino is a strict herbivore, feeding almost exclusively on woody plants. Its prehensile upper lip allows it to browse selectively on leaves, twigs, buds, and fruits of over 100 plant species, including Acacia, Commiphora, and Grewia. Daily intake can reach 30–50 kg of vegetation, providing roughly 2,500–3,000 kcal. Feeding occurs mainly in the early morning and late afternoon when plant moisture is highest. The species prefers browse with high protein and low fiber, and will travel up to 10 km in a day to locate optimal feeding sites. Seasonal changes in plant phenology drive shifts in diet composition, with more succulent shoots consumed during the dry season and fruit and seeds added when available.

Females reach sexual maturity at 5–7 years, while males mature slightly later at 7–9 years. Breeding is not strictly seasonal, though peaks often occur after the rainy season when forage is abundant. The gestation period lasts 15–16 months, resulting in a single calf weighing 30–45 kg at birth. Calves are born with a soft, hair‑covered coat and are able to stand within an hour. Maternal care is intensive; the mother nurses and protects the calf for 2–3 years, during which time the offspring learns foraging routes and scent‑marking behavior. Birth intervals average 2.5–3 years, and reproductive rates are low, making population recovery slow in the face of high adult mortality.

The black rhinoceros is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with an estimated global population of 5,600 individuals as of 2023. Poaching for its horn remains the primary threat, accounting for over 90% of adult mortality in high‑risk areas such as Kenya and Tanzania. Habitat fragmentation from agricultural expansion, mining, and infrastructure development reduces available range and isolates populations, limiting gene flow. Human‑wildlife conflict arises when rhinos raid crops, leading to retaliatory killings. Conservation programs—including anti‑poaching patrols, community‑based stewardship, and translocation to secure reserves—have helped increase numbers, but illegal wildlife trade and climate‑driven habitat changes continue to jeopardize long‑term survival.

• Black rhinos have a prehensile upper lip that functions like a hand for selective browsing.
• Their horns are made of keratin, the same protein found in human hair and nails.
• Unlike many large mammals, black rhinos are primarily nocturnal and crepuscular.
• A single horn can grow up to 50 cm (20 inches) in length.
• Conservationists use DNA fingerprinting to track poached horns back to individual animals.